Kidney disease decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for compensation under U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to renal failure following a December 29, 2003 abdominal aneurysm repair at a VA Medical Center has been dismissed because the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic renal cell carcinoma, which the VA examiner determined to be a post-mortem condition. However, hypertension and cigarette smoking were found to have contributed to his development of renal cell carcinoma. The Board finds that hypertension did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for a skin disorder (mucous patch), left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The remaining claims are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and adjudication of his service connection claims, including those related to kidney stones. The Social Security Administration records are also requested as they may impact his TDIU claim.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus and granted service connection for this condition, as well as its secondary effects on peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, bilateral eye disorder (retinopathy, etc.), and kidney disorder (nephropathy).

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is shown to be aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and the Board grants this claim. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a kidney disorder and a skin disorder are remanded as they involve secondary service connection.

The Veteran's neurogenic bladder condition is granted service connection, and the kidney disorder and urinary tract infections are also found to be related to service. The claims for these conditions were remanded due to inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance was denied as he does not meet the criteria for permanent aid and assistance due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a renal disorder (kidney stones) and gastrointestinal disorder were denied as there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis B with liver failure and kidney failure, end-stage renal disease are service-connected as they were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to May 19, 2008 was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for such at that time.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted, with a noncompensable evaluation assigned for bilateral pes planus as of August 3, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the relationship between his claimed conditions and service, including exposure to herbicides. The examiner should also address whether these conditions are secondary to esophageal cancer or its treatment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung cancer did not arise from his renal cell carcinoma, and thus, it was not service-connected. The cause of death due to renal cell carcinoma is also denied as there is no evidence linking it to service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes and renal disease were denied as new and material evidence was not received. The claim for peripheral neuropathy is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange.,Service connection for degenerative osteoarthritis of the left shoulder has been granted with an effective date of April 12, 2000.

The Veteran's death was not caused by VA treatment and is not service-connected, thus denying DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for lung and kidney disorders, both potentially related to asbestos exposure during military service. The claims are currently remanded for further examination and development.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and providing proper VCAA notification.

The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis/emphysema resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to resultant helplessness caused by mental and physical impairment, including inability to dress/undress himself, feed himself due to extreme weakness, and attend to the wants of nature.